{{Short description|Maker of guitar amplifiers}} {{for|the Italian "comune"|Soldano, Liguria}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Soldano Custom Amplification | logo = Soldano.jpg | caption = | trading_name = | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | industry = [[Amplifier|Amplification]] | genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies --> | fate = | foundation = [[Los Angeles, California]], United States ({{Start date and age|1986}}) | founder = Michael Soldano | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | location_city = [[Seattle, Washington]] | location_country = United States | locations = | area_served = | key_people = Michael Soldano | products = [[Amplifier]]s | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|www.soldano.com}} | footnotes = | intl = | bodystyle = }} '''Soldano Custom Amplification''' is a [[guitar amplifier]] manufacturing company, founded in 1986 by Michael Soldano in [[Los Angeles, California]] and later relocated to [[Seattle, Washington]]. It is mostly known for high-gain amps such as its flagship model, the [[Soldano SLO-100|SLO-100]].
==History== [[File:Soldano Decatone+SLO100.jpg|thumb|left|Two Soldano heads: a Avenger Hot Rod (top) and an SLO in custom blue tolex.]] Michael Soldano originally worked with technician Bill Sundt at Stars Guitars of [[San Francisco]], modifying amps brought into the shop. Soldano built his first amp, a [[Fender Bassman]] clone, with the aid of books discarded by a library. He worked on modifying his version of the Bassman for several years before turning his attention to modifying [[Mesa/Boogie]] [[Mesa/Boogie Mark Series|Mark IIs]], which served as the inspiration for what became the Super Lead Overdrive (SLO) 100.<ref name="Hunter">{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Dave |title=Endorsed by Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen, the Soldano SLO 100 Became an Amp of the Guitar Gods |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/endorsed-by-eric-clapton-and-eddie-van-halen-the-soldano-slo-100-became-an-amp-of-the-guitar-gods |website=guitarplayer.com |date=10 March 2023 |publisher=Guitar Player |access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> Soldano gave a prototype to [[Howard Leese]] of [[Heart (band)|Heart]] while working as a roadie to avoid bankruptcy and soon after received orders from [[Lou Reed]], [[Michael Landau]], and [[Vivian Campbell]].<ref name="Hunter" /> Soldano officially released the SLO 100 in 1987 and sold amps to [[Eric Clapton]] and [[Mark Knopfler]],<ref name="Hunter" /> as well as [[Tommy Kessler]] of [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]],<ref>[http://www.tommykessler.com/#!gear/ The Official Gear Page of Tommy Kessler]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2__oWXALDw/ Tommy Kessler Tour Rig Video 2010]</ref> [[Joe Satriani]], [[Steve Vai]], [[George Lynch (musician)|George Lynch]], and [[Gary Moore]].<ref name="Hunter" /> ''[[Guitar Player]]'' described the amp as having "a thickness that filled out the high-gain sizzle, and a juicy, touchy-feely playing sensitivity" that especially appealed to lead players.<ref name="Hunter" />
In 1991, [[Eddie Van Halen]] used an SLO 100 (which replaced his [[Marshall 1959]] due to technical issues) for the album ''[[For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge]]'' and modeled his signature amp, the [[Peavey 5150]], after it.
The [[Experience Music Project]] in [[Seattle]] contains an area where visitors can play instruments, such as the electric guitar. These rooms contain Soldano amplifiers, along with various [[Squier]] guitars (including [[Stratocaster]] and [[Telecaster]] guitars).
Soldano produced the Supercharger G.T.O. which is a high-voltage valve driven preamp in a floor pedal. The name "G.T.O." derives from the three control knob names—Gain, Tone, Output.
Michael Soldano announced his retirement building amps in 2018, but in 2019 announced he would sell the company to Boutique Amps Distribution and would remain with the company as a designer. In 2020, Soldano released a revamped SLO-100 with added depth control, and a lower-wattage SLO-30 version.
== See also == *[[Bogner Amplification]] *[[Rivera Amplification]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.soldano.com/ Soldano Custom Amplification] * [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/mike-soldano Mike Soldano Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (2021)
[[Category:Guitar amplifier manufacturers]] [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Seattle]] [[Category:Audio equipment manufacturers of the United States]] [[Category:American companies established in 1986]]